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Putrajaya gurdwara in the making

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Gurdwara Sahib Putrajaya Society annual meeting for 2019 in session. Right: Artist impression of the proposed Putrajaya gurdwara complex
By Asia Samachar Team | MALAYSIA |

If all goes to plan, Putrajaya will have a partially-functioning gurdwara towards the end of 2021.

The plan is to build a ‘national’ gurdwara that will also attract visitors to Malaysia’s administrative capital.

“The architect presented the conceptual design, which was approved by the house,” Major (Rtd) Jagindar Singh told Asia Samachar.

Jagindar is the committee president of the Gurdwara Sahib Putrajaya Society (GSPS), the registered society that has taken the lead to build the gurdwara complex.

“If it goes our way, the team would like to see something [gurdwara building] up by November 2021,” he said. “We will have a resort-setting type of accommodations. We also envisage it to be a tourist attraction for those coming to Putrajaya.”

Putrajaya is a planned city and the federal administrative centre of Malaysia. The seat of government was shifted from Kuala Lumpur to Putrajaya in 1999.

Being in the nation’s administrative capital, Jagindar said they intend to create a ‘national’  gurdwara that would promote the history of gurdwaras in Malaysia. It has been ear-marked as one of the objectives of the gurdwara in the making.

The gurdwara is located at the intersection of Precincts 5 and 20, bordering Dengkil. It is about five-minutes drive from the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC).

The proposed gurdwara complex – a single-story building with a circular darbar sahib – is expected to cost about RM3 million. The land size allocated for the gurdwara is about 30,000 sq ft, slightly less than an acre.

HSITORY IN THE MAKING: Gurdwara Sahib Putrajaya Society annual meeting for 2019 in session.

GSPS membership is open to all Malaysian Sikhs, including those living abroad. However, voting is limited to members living within a 50km radius of the gurdwara, which includes the Klang Valley which is home to the largest Sikh community in Malaysia. Life membership is fixed at RM101.

At its annual meeting on 9 March 2019, the house also elected its committee. It comprises deputy president Paramjit Singh and three vice presidents Dr Harshinderjeet Singh (development and fund raising), Dr Mahinder Singh (education and sports) and Dr Sangeeta Kaur (secretarial and communication). The committee also includes secretary Harjit Kaur, assistant secretary Shivcharan Singh, treasurer Manmeet Singh and assistant treasurer Manjeev Singh.

Registered in 2016, GSPS first pro-tem committee, also led by Jagindar, was formalised in June 2016. Jagindar, 70, believes he is one of the first Sikhs to live in Putrajaya.

 

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‘Gurdwara of learning’ coming to Shah Alam (Asia Samachar, 5 Dec 2015)

Roles and functions of a gurdwara (Asia Samachar, 11 Dec 2015)

 

ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: editor@asiasamachar.com | Twitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here 

IN MEMORY: Mata Charan Kaur (1934 – 2018), Klang

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FIRST BARSI-PATH DA BHOG: 30 March 2019 (Saturday), 9am-11.30am, at Gurdwara Sahib Klang, Selangor | Malaysia
Charan Kaur (1934-2018), Klang

 

MATA CHARAN KAUR D/O LATE NAHAR SINGH

(1934 – 2018)

and widow of the late Kartar Singh (Tapah); Village: Tanda, Amristar

 

We think of you in silence

We often speak of your name

Now all we have are memories

And your picture in a frame

There will always be heartache

And often a silent tear

But always a precious memory

Of the days when you were here

 

Sadly and dearly missed by:

Sons / Daughters-in-law:

Rajinder Singh (S. Inspector) / Ranjit Kaur

Harpal Singh (AIA) / Jaswant Kaur

Late Daljeet Singh

Daughters / Sons-in-law:

Sitwan Kaur / Late Dalbinder Singh Sandhu (Changkat Tin)

Ravinder Kaur / Satwant Singh Malhi

Grandchildren / Spouse:

Surinder Kaur Sandhu / Sukvinder Singh Gill

Jasvinder Kaur Sandhu / Sarinder Singh Gill

Balvinder Kaur Sandhu / Mankiran Singh Phinder

Harwant Kaur Sandhu / Teljit Singh Sumal

Dharampal Singh Sandhu

Rajwant Kaur Sandhu / Harvinder Singh Uppal

Harvinder Singh Mand, Tejvinder Singh Mand, Malwinderpal Singh Mand, Deepak Singh Mand, Gurvindar Singh Malhi, Eshminder Singh Mand, Taranpal Singh Mand, Gurdas Singh Mand, Ajitpal Singh Mand

Great Grandchildren: Harleen Kaur Gill, Simran Kaur Gill, Gurraaj Singh Gill, Neeraj Singh Phinder, Manraaj Singh Gill, Jasreen Kaur Sumal, Pavenraj Singh Phinder, Ashreena Kaur Uppal, Ashleena Kaur Uppal, Raajveer Singh Gill , Gurveer Singh Sumal

Path Da Bhog: 30 March 2019 (Saturday), 9.00am-11.30am, at Gurdwara Sahib Klang, Selangor followed by Guru Ka Langgar

Kindly treat this as a personal invitation.

Contact: 019-333 3329 / 016-262 7765

 

| Entry: 19 March 2019 | Source: Family |
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: editor@asiasamachar.com | Twitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here |

500 days since Jagtar Singh Johal’s arrest, India still failing to investigate torture claims

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500 days and counting – Photo: Free Jaggi Now Facebook page
PRESS STATEMENT | LONDON | 

Another #FreeJaggiNow related statement from Redress,  London-based human rights group that deploys  the law to seek justice and reparation for survivors of tortur

REDRESS is calling once more on India to urgently investigate the serious allegations of torture in the case of Jagtar Singh Johal, as Monday 18 March marks 500 days of his imprisonment in India.

REDRESS also urges India to respond to an appeal made by three United Nations experts in Mr Johal’s case more than a year ago, and to ensure that no evidence obtained by torture is used against Jagtar in his ongoing trial.

As far as REDRESS is aware, India has yet to respond to the urgent appeal and has not provided Mr Johal with an independent medical examination.

Plain-clothes police officers seized, hooded and abducted Mr Johal, a British national from Dumbarton, on 4 November 2017 while he was in India to get married. Mr Johal alleges that he was subsequently subjected to torture.

In a handwritten account detailing his treatment that his family made public last year, Mr Johal stated:

“The torture took place intermittently, numerous times each day. Electric shocks were administered by placing the crocodile clips on my ear lobes, nipples and private parts,” and that “threats of taking me to a remote location where I could be shot dead were also given. At one point, petrol was brought into the room and I was threatened with being burnt.”

Mr Johal remains in prison in India, where he is facing charges for offences under the Indian Penal Code, the Indian Arms Act and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act in cases brought by the Punjab police and the Indian National Investigation Agency. As far as REDRESS is aware no evidence has been presented against Mr Johal in any of these cases.

“Time is running out to investigate the extremely serious torture allegations in Jagtar’s case. A swift and independent investigation is crucial for ensuring that anyone responsible for torturing Jagtar is brought to justice, and for making sure that any evidence obtained by torture is not used against Jagtar,” said Rupert Skilbeck, Director of REDRESS.

The widespread use of torture and ill-treatment in India during investigations or to extract confessions has long been reported by human rights groups. Amnesty International documented 894 deaths in judicial custody and 74 deaths in police custody during a period of just eight months in 2017. India is the only major democracy that has not ratified the UN Convention against Torture. REDRESS has long advocated for India to do so.

For more information or an interview, please contact Eva Sanchis, REDRESS’ Head of Communications, on eva@redress.org, +44 (0) 20 7793 1777 or + 44 (0) 7857 110076 (out of hours).

Notes to editors:

  1. The urgent appeal by the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, and the Vice-Chair of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention from 29 January 2018 is available here. The urgent appeal was made following a complaint by REDRESS and Ensaaf to the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture in December 2017.
  2. A letter signed by over 70 MPs raising concerns about the alleged torture suffered by Mr Johal from 2 July 2018 is available here
  3. Background information about the case is available here
  4. Human rights organisations have long documented the widespread use of torture and ill-treatment in judicial and police custody in India, including in Amnesty International’s Report 2017/2018

Read original statement here.

ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: editor@asiasamachar.com | Twitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here 

Rakhvinder Singh shines at Malaysian navy cadet officer graduation

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Rakhvinder Singh receives award from Yang di-Pertuan Agong – Photo: RMN
By Asia Samachar Team | MALAYSIA |

Rakhvinder Singh emerged as the shining at the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) graduate cadet officers’ training.

And it was no less than the Malaysian constitutional monarch who presented him the award as the Overall Best Graduate Cadet Officer for the 26th batch.

The Ipoh-born 25-year old cadet officer was appointed as the commanding officer of the 26th batch based on his commitment and dedication throughout the training session, according to a write-up shared at the RMN Facebook page.

His father Gurbanjan Singh is a moulder at an Ipoh-based factory while his mother Naranjan Kaur is a housewife.

After finishing schooling at Anderson school in Ipoh, Rakhvinder then pursued a marketing degree at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu.

Sultan Abdullah officiated the commissioning ceremony for MAF cadet officers at the Perdana Camp in Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur, on 16 March 2019. At the event, he consented to commission 504 MAF cadet officers who completed their bachelor degrees at the Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia and other public higher institutions of learning, reports Bernama.

WEFIE with family: Rakhvinder Singh after receiving award from Yang di-Pertuan Agong

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ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: editor@asiasamachar.com | Twitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here 

Instagram comedian accused getting passengers with turbans removed from her flight

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Instagram comedian Jess Hilarious defending her racist rant

Instagram Comedian Jess Hilarious Says She’s ‘Not Racist’ After Being Accused of Getting Passengers with Turbans Kicked Off Her Flight’

Various news reports had picked up the story and her subsequent defence of her actions.

Istagram comedian Jess Hilarious has allegedly caused four Sikh men to be ejected from the a flight in the United States, and she’s portraying herself as ‘not racist’

Jessica Moore has been getting major heat on social media after allegedly getting four men in turbans kicked off her flight Saturday for making her “nervous,” reports Newsweek.

The portal reported that Moore posted a since-deleted tweet which allegedly led to four Sikh men being removed from the flight before it departed the airport. The comedian then published an Instagram story to say her comments were justified and “[her] news is real.”

In article entitled ‘Instagram Comedian Jess Hilarious Says She’s ‘Not Racist’ After Being Accused of Getting Passengers with Turbans Kicked Off Her Flight’, it reported:

“N****s know I’m never f***ing racist, but I spotted something and I put it out earlier and we just got evacuated from our plane,” Moore said in the Instagram story. “F*** y’all, if I’m scared, I’m scared… y’all mad at me because I don’t side with every other black person.”

“Why? Why were we evacuated,” she noted. “Y’all are going to listen to Jess one day, ’cause my news is real.”

Despite saying she wasn’t racist or profiling the bearded men, the comedian continued to be blasted all over social media, which led to Moore to posting a since-deleted apology.

“I’m so sorry for my former #deleted post!! #Sorry but ya’ll blame [me] for being scared,” Moore wrote. “I saw four people of that caliber and I just revert back to the past, s**t if I’m scared, I’m scared!!!”

“The Internet is some s**t today,” she added.

Though the comedian deleted all posts pertaining to the incident, two Instagram stories remain on her profile were she said she is “not racist” and has “Muslims is [her] family.”

“Look ya’ll, I’m not racist and never have I been,” Moore wrote. “We have Muslims in my family, however, I was totally unaware of the different types of Muslim, so yes, I admit I’m ignorant to the facts so teach me.”

“I got no one put off the f***in’ plane,” she added. “I didn’t even say s**t to anyone else on the f***in’ plane about how I felt! Again, I’m sorry to all Muslims, deeply sorry. But I am not a racist, loves.”

Newsweek reached out to Moore’s publicist for comment but did not immediately hear back at the time of publication.

This incident occurred the same weekend as the deadly attacks on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. At least 50 people died in the massacre, with more than 40 others injured.

 

RELATED STORIES:

Sikh bros light up NYC with American-flag turbans, matching light-up sweaters (Asia Samachar, 21 Dec 2018)

 

ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: editor@asiasamachar.com | Twitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here 

From Transporting Bodies To Providing Free Langars, Sikh Community Support Victims Of New Zealand Mosque Shootings

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By BOBINS ABRAHAM | India Times | NZ |

New Zealand is going through an unprecedented situation following the terror attack on two mosques in central Christchurch on Friday which killed 49 people and injured scores of others.

People of New Zealand, a country which is considered one of the safest and makes into international news headlines rarely, that too on issues on climate change and environment which it has always led, found themselves in an unfamiliar space on Friday following the shooting, said to be the deadliest white supremacist attack in the recent times.

Right from the Prime Minister to common people on the street, everyone has come out to reject bigotry and stand in solidarity with the victims and their families.

The Guru Nanak Free Kitchen in Auckland, an NGO involved in various human services have appealed to their fellow community members to help those in distress.

The Sikh community in New Zealand too are doing their bit to help the families of the shooting victims, in all possible ways.

Guru Nanak’s Free Kitchen Auckland

Responding to an appeal by a Muslim representative, the GNFK in a Facebook post urged volunteers to come forward to help the Muslim community in Christchurch with washing bodies, transportation of families and bodies to the cemetery, digging graves and organize langar for the people attending funerals and helping with other stuff.

Later, in a separate post, the group thanked outpouring support they received and said that “Our various communities and groups truly embody the compassion and love that will need to prevail to heal the wounds of yesterday’s attacks.”

According to their Facebook page, the Guru Nanak’s Free Kitchen began in April 2017 when a group of like-minded individuals got together and wanted to help with feeding those in need in Auckland and do so by encouraging Sikh youth and organizations to volunteer their time and services.

To see the original story, go here.

 

RELATED STORIES:

Sikh Advisory Board Singapore condemn terror attacks on Christchurch mosques (Asia Samachar, 15 March 2019)

 

ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: editor@asiasamachar.com | Twitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here 

Christchurch mosque attacks: Sikh leaders call to embrace oneness of humanity

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Clockwise from top left: MP Kanwaljit, Jagir, Inderjit (former MP), Jasbir, SAB logo and Harjit
By Asia Samachar Team | MALAYSIA |

Sikhs organisations and prominent individuals in Asia have condemned resolutely the terror attacks on the Christchurch mosque yesterday (15 March 2019) and called for everyone to embrace the oneness of humanity, a core principle of Guru Nanak.

When reached out by Asia Samachar, one ringing message from many was the need to see the brotherhood in all.

The shootings during Friday prayers has left at least 49 dead and 40 injured. It was New Zealand’s worst mass shooting.

Malaysian Armed Forces Sikh Veterans Association (MAFSVA) deputy president Maj (Rtd) Harjit Singh Rendawa said the premeditated murders in Christchurch were nothing more than an act by cowards of twisted minds.

“It’s a personification of extremism and racism into white supremacist. Blinded by hate and ego, they took so many innocent lives. A sad day for mankind,” he said.

Reiterating the message of oneness, Sikh Naujawan Sabha Malaysia (SNSM) jathedar Dr Jasbir Singh said: “God is One, see God in all.”

SNSM is a Kuala Lumpur-based organisation that caters to the youth with Sikh camps and other programmes.

VIEW FROM LAWMAKERS

Inderjit Singh, former Singapore lawmaker and entrepreneur, said everyone was saddened that innocent people became the target of hate.

“Guru Nanak taught us about One Humanity and the Universal brotherhood of all mankind. I wish all of us embrace this concept of One Humanity and show love for everyone and not hate,” he said.

He added that governments around the world should focus on integration of all communities who live on their shores.

“Like Singapore, all countries and leaders need to be proactive to promote religious and racial harmony. We are thankful that in Singapore we have build deep bonds among all communities and each of us are focused on maintaining the strong bonds – both the people and the government.

“All of us need to be personally involved if we want peace and harmony,” he said in a text message. Inderjit is the longest-serving Sikh parliamentarian in Singapore.

Auckland-based Member of Parliament (MP) Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi emphasised that New Zealand wasa country which a high degree of social harmony.

“New Zealanders welcome all people with open arms. Migrants are not made to feel that they are living in another country,” he told SBS Punjabi in an interview.

“I sincerely hope that our Muslim community feels that the entire country supports them and also that such an incident is not repeated anywhere in the world….I want to assure the Muslim community in New Zealand that is their home and we are behind them,” added Kanwaljit who is also the shadow spokesman for internal affairs and justice.

HEINOUS ATTACK

Humanitarian relief outfit United Sikhs has requested the New Zealand’s Ministry of Justice to ensure that all community centers and houses of worship are protected, safe and to ensure that justice prevails.

In a statement, it has also called the Sikh communities around the world to stay vigilant, and be aware of surroundings at their gurdwaras.

“Hate in any form is unacceptable. The Sikh community condemns this incident and stands in solidarity with the families impacted,” said Inderjit Singh, the director of United Sikhs in New Zealand.

Malaysian Gurdwaras Council (MGC) president Jagir said: “This is a heinous attack on a place of worship targeting innocent worshippers. This terrorist attack should be condemned by all peace loving people.”

In a statement released yesterday, the Sikh Advisory Board Singapore condemned the terror attack and expressed ‘our solidarity with our Muslim friends and the families of victims and condemn the senseless and reckless act’.

“It is important that we, in Singapore, stay united and work closely, among faith groups and communities, to strengthen our bonds,” it said.

As New Zealanders and global citizens marshall on in the aftermath of the traumatic incident, SNSM’s Jasbir said: “Our brothers and sisters in NZ, stay strong in this challenging times. We pray for your well being.”

 

RELATED STORIES:

Sikh Advisory Board Singapore condemn terror attacks on Christchurch mosques (Asia Samachar, 15 March 2019)

 

ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: editor@asiasamachar.com | Twitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here 

Gutted: Christchurch mosque shootings

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ToonistBains on Christchurch mosque shootings

 

RELATED STORIES:

Sikh Advisory Board Singapore condemn terror attacks on Christchurch mosques (Asia Samachar, 15 March 2019)

 

ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: editor@asiasamachar.com | Twitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here 

‘I’m divorced, so Sikh men don’t want me’

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Minreet Kaur – Photo: BBC

By BBC | UK |

At 27, Minreet Kaur married a man she had met through a Sikh temple in west London. It turned out to be a disaster, and within a year she was back home with her parents. For 10 years now she has been hoping to find another husband, but has reached a bitter conclusion: most Sikh men don’t want to marry a divorcee.

“If you divorce me, you will never marry again,” my husband shouted at me before I left him. He said it to hurt me, but he knew it could turn out to be true. And so did I.

Divorce is shameful in the Sikh community, especially for women.

To begin with I was ashamed myself. I felt dirty and used. How could I look at another man when I knew he would regard me as used goods?

Other people reinforced this feeling.

My grandma in London told me I should have worked at my marriage, even though she knew what I had been through. My dad’s family in India said they were disappointed that I was home; I was a disgrace to them. My parents supported me 100% but I felt I had let them down.

For five years I hardly went out, but in 2013 I started to look again for a partner.

When I asked people to look out for a suitable man for me they would often be happy to help. They would start asking questions – how old I was, where I lived, where I worked – but as soon as told them I was divorced, their facial expression changed. It was a look that said, “we can’t help you”.

“I’ll let you know,” they told me.

Minreet Kaur is a henna artist and a freelance journalist who works for the BBC. She also contributes to Asia Samachar. Read the full story here.

 

RELATED STORIES:

Independent and positive women rock, says freelance journo Min Kaur (Asia Samachar, 13 May 2019)

 

ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: editor@asiasamachar.com | Twitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here 

Now you are back from sanyas, pay Daiichi, Indian supreme court tells Shivinder

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BROTHERS: Malvinder Singh and Shivinder Singh – PHOTO/ FORTIS ANNUAL REPORT
By MoneyLife | INDIA |

The Supreme Court on Thursday told Fortis’s Shivinder Singh that since he has come back from ‘sanyas’, he should focus on paying along with his brother Malvinder Singh Rs 3,500 crore awarded to Japanese drug maker Daiichi Sankyo by a Singapore-based arbitration tribunal.

“Now you have come (back) to world, then pay”, said Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi who along with Justice Deepak Gupta and Justice Sanjiv Khanna told both the brothers to inform the court how they are going to secure the arbitration tribunal award.

Initially senior counsel Fali Nariman appearing for Daiichi told the court that Malvinder Singh has said that he was anxious to pay his dues and Shivender Singh has said, “I have become a ‘sadhu’ and taken ‘sanyas’ and I don’t want to do anything now.”

However, when senior counsel P.S. Patwalia told the court that he has come back to world, CJI Gogoi said, “Now you have come to the world, then pay.”

Patwalia appeared for Shivinder Singh

Both Malvinder Singh and Shivinder Singh were asked to give plan for securing the Singapore-based arbitration tribunal’s award asking them to pay it Rs 3,500 crore in a dispute relating to Japanese drug maker Daiichi Sankyo’s acquisition of their family pharma company Ranbaxy.

Read the full story, ‘Now you are back from sanyas, pay Daiichi, SC tells Shivinder’, 15 March 2019, here.

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ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: editor@asiasamachar.com | Twitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here 
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